Once the areawide ice rink melts away this week, Dallas residents will have a new skating rink to slip and slide on.

Klyde Warren Park officials said Monday that the long-promised rink will open Friday, part of an effort to boost winter attendance at the Woodall Rodgers deck park.

“We are so thrilled,” said Tara Green, president of Klyde Warren Park. “The skating rink will add to the holiday spirit and bring people out to enjoy the park during the winter.”

The 32-by-100-foot rink, made of an artificial polymer that functions like real ice but doesn’t melt, will be open through the end of January, when it will be broken down and stored until next autumn.

An opening ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Friday. It will include an inaugural skate by children from St. Philip’s School and the cast from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Musical, part of a run at the nearby AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Visitors can use the rink for free, but skate rentals cost $5 during the week and $10 on the weekend. This Friday, rentals will be free, and complimentary skating lessons will be offered on Saturday and Sunday.

Also, each Tuesday, parkgoers will have a chance to skate for free thanks to a weekly community skate day sponsored by El Centro College.

Former Dallas Stars owner Norm Green and his wife, Kelly, sponsored the rink, although the amount of his donation was not disclosed.

“We wanted to bring something new to the city for everyone to enjoy,” Green said.“A skating rink in Klyde Warren Park just seemed perfect, given my passion for hockey and the community.”

Park officials announced the skating rink in February. In October, Fort Worth announced that Panther Island would be getting its own artificial polymer rink. It opened in November.

IF YOU GO: Klyde Warren Park ice rink

What: Ice skating rink at Klyde Warren Park

Where: On the Ginsburg Family Great Lawn, next to the children’s part of the Woodall Rodgers deck park

When: The rink will be open to the public immediately after an 11 a.m. ceremony. Skate rentals are free all day.